Why A Resolution to the SBC on Affirming and Apologizing to Women?

The following quote from Ergon Caner spoken recently to an audience that gave strong verbal affirmation to his sexist sentiments documents why we need to apologize and affirm women in SBC life for a history of sexist attitudes and actions.

A number of other examples could be cited. However, SBC history also documents and demonstrates sexist sentiments much more egregious that the Caner comment. For those who say I should not repent for the sins of others, my response to you is, SBC Corporate sins require SBC Corporate Repentance (Nehemiah 1:6). Consequently, I will offer the following resolution in Orlando concerning women in the SBC.

A RESOLUTION AFFIRMING THE MINISTRY ROLES OF WOMEN AND APOLOGIZING FOR DELAYS IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR MINISTRY CONTRIBUTION

WHEREAS, the Scripture teaches that God made male and female together in his own image as the crowning work of his creation, both possessing the sacredness of human personality and equally deserving of dignity and respect as God’s special creation; and

WHEREAS, God also created male and female with specific and complementary characteristics (Gen 1:27), declaring them good (Gen. 1:31) so that male and female in relationship constitute a complete expression of the divine order for humanity, yet without blurring or denying the significance of gender distinctions that God designed for them; and

WHEREAS, the equality of male and female as to dignity and worth follow from their creation in the image of God, including but not limited to their special and respective roles; and

WHEREAS, these roles are generally defined as leader, provider and self-sacrificial protector for males (Ephesians 5:25, 1 Peter 3:7) and as helper, nurturer and life-giver for females (Genesis 2:18 and 3:20); and

WHEREAS, these distinct roles do not justify neglect on the part of men when it comes to nurturing and caring for their families; nor do they prohibit women from serving in roles traditionally understood as exclusive to males, including service in combat (Judges 4:4-23), prophesying (Exodus 15:20; 2 Kings 22:14; Acts 21:8), evangelistic proclamation (Philippians 4:2; Romans 16:7), deacon ministry (Romans 16:3), public prayer (1 Corinthians 11:2-5) and teaching ministry (Acts 18:26); and

WHEREAS, the Holy Spirit of God has been given in full measure to both men and women since the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:17); and

WHEREAS, women were excluded from full participation in Southern Baptist Convention life from its inception in 1845, and were refused seats as messengers in 1885 when the convention voted to seat only “the brethren;” and

WHEREAS, due to their exclusion from voting participation in the Southern Baptist Convention, women were prohibited from serving in most roles in convention life, including service as trustees of convention entities; and

WHEREAS, women were not officially recognized and seated as convention messengers until 1918, though it was many years later that they began serving in elected office as entity trustees; and

WHEREAS, in recent years, Southern Baptists have recognized the equal worth and dignity of women both as homemakers and in their professional lives; and

WHEREAS, in 1983, Southern Baptists affirmed all women who work outside the home by urging their “employers, including those Southern Baptist churches, institutions, and agencies which employ women, to seek fairness for women in compensation, benefits, and opportunities for advancement;” and

WHEREAS, in 2000, Southern Baptists adopted the revised Baptist Faith and Message, which affirms the legitimate place of women who serve in every area of church, home, and work life, excluding only the office of pastor; and

WHEREAS, Southern Baptist seminaries currently employ many godly women in teaching, administrative, and supportive roles that serve to advance the Kingdom purpose of theological education; and

WHEREAS, the ministry of godly women in Southern Baptist life has been an incredible spiritual asset to the Kingdom work we conduct together; and

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED THAT, the messengers of annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention, gathered in Orlando, Florida, June 15-16, 2010, affirm without qualification the women who serve in our churches, agencies and institutions for their godly character, faithful service, and vital ministry roles; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, we recognize that some religious organizations both within and without Southern Baptist life continue to struggle to recognize, equip, and commission the women whom God has gifted and called to Kingdom service; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, we repudiate any theology, policy, or administrative practice among Southern Baptist churches, agencies and institutions that fails to safeguard fairness for women in compensation, benefits, and opportunities for advancement, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, we apologize to all women for the delay in recognizing their full value and ministry contribution to Southern Baptist life; and we genuinely repent of the sexism of which we have been guilty, whether consciously or unconsciously; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, we express our deep sorrow and remorse for any offense that has been caused to our sisters in Christ on account of unbiblical gender bias and employment restrictions that do not reflect the positive spirit and precise language of the Baptist Faith and Message 2000; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED THAT, we earnestly pray for the hand of God to raise up more women in our midst, to give them every available spiritual gift, and through their public ministry and service to nurture godliness, faithfulness, and obedience in the lives of all people.

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16 Responses to “Why A Resolution to the SBC on Affirming and Apologizing to Women?”

Another good resolution, but without strong vocal support from the likes of Patterson, Mohler, Akin or someone of similar stature and complementarian respect I don’t see how the messengers won’t interpret it as opening the door to egalitarianism in the SBC.

This really speaks to why I take issue with organizations like the SBC. Its as if until there is a resolution the problem should not and cannot be resolved – lots of red tape just to do the right thing. I’m sure they’ll have multiple conferences to discuss this issue and then finally a vote. Who knew faith could be determined by committee?

I commend your fight and perseverance. I just think the reason the fight is needed speaks more to the SBC’s credibility as an organization and/or religious authority.

It would be interesting to hear from some of those who do not agree with your perspective. There must be many. If there weren’t, this would not be an issue at this time. To begin the discussion, God’s Word tells us in Eph. 5: 22-33…Christian wives have to be submissive.

The reason to submit is because the husband is the head of the wife in the same way that Christ is the head of the church. In the relationship between Christ and the church….The church, we as believers…are to arrange all our energies and abilities under the purpose of glorifying the Savior. To do less than this is not submission.

As Christians we would never think that we could possibly fulfill our purpose without submitting to Christ.

Therefore, the relationship between the husband & wife is the same…as the church submits to Christ’s headship, so are wives, to submit to their husband’s headship.

A wife submitting to the God given authority of the husband should not lead to abuse any more than God would abuse the husband. Yet, we should not ignor God’s Order within his creation.

I do not know if you remember me, but I posted several comments on your “Response to Jimmy Davis’ family” blog. I am writing this to you in regards to your statement:

“Thirdly, I honor Rev. Jimmy Davis. I respect the work, gift and office of an evangelist/revivalist. I would welcome Rev. Davis as a guest preacher in my pulpit, provided he not address the Obama issue. I will even make a donation to his ministry and pray for him. I hope that you can arrange a meeting with him. I believe in “honoring” Evangelists and Pastors.”

I am attempting to set up a meeting, and I was wondering if you were still willing to meet. If you are, please email me at floydreiter@yahoo.com. If you are not, will you please let me know by replying to this comment. Please note that if you do choose to meet and email me, I will send you a reply to the email address that you used to contact me from. So, you will receive confirmation that I did receive it. If you do not get a reply from me, either I have not checked my email, or I did not receive it.

Early in July, I told Bro. Jimmy of my intentions to contact you, but I have not told him that I actually have done so, therefore he is unaware of this message at this point. As soon as you respond, I will contact him. However, I am sure that he would meet with you.

Personally, I think that there needs to be a meeting. I am sorry for contacting you like this, but I do not know your email address, and you did say that you would meet, so I am contacting you in the only way I know how.

This is good. I’m complementarian and after going over this once carefully and thinking it through, I definitely find no fault with this resolution. You do a wonderful work with this resolutions and other documents. I haven’t seen anything I disagree with yet on this blog.

We need more intelligent African American pastors like you. We need men in the SBC like you, Af-Am, Anglo, Asian and Hispanic, and all the rest need to speak the truth in love. God bless you sir.